Montmartre - 18eme

An intriguing mix of the charming and the seedy, Montmartre is a distinctly bohemian neighborhood legendary for its artist residents, which have included Monet, Dalí, and Picasso.

Artists still bring their pads and easels to the top of the hill near Sacré-Coeur, where some of the most amazing views of Paris inspire them to sketch and paint their surroundings.

During the day many tourists come to admire the views and the Montmartre street performers, while at night they flock to the famous risqué cabarets like Moulin Rouge that border the tawdrier red light district of Pigalle.

The local artists and hipsters, on the other hand, gather at the area’s small bars where conversation is king, at the dance clubs where DJs spin a mix of funk and electronic, or at the local jazz joints.

In fact, with so many live music venues, concert halls, and cabarets, it’s unusual to walk through the streets of artsy Montmartre without feeling the buzz in the night air.